29 Oct 2015

The newly appointed chairperson of Vision 2036 Presidential Task Team , Mr Neo Moroka, has vowed to serve the nation diligently and with pride.

Addressing members of the media yesterday (October 28), Mr Moroka said he was humbled by the trust and confidence that President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama had shown in him and his team by appointing them to develop the next national vision- Vision 2036, which will serve as the platform for national development post 2016.

“We are well aware that there are many fellow citizens who are equally worthy of this calling. We therefore undertake to serve this nation diligently and with pride. We accepted this assignment fully aware of the time constraint as we are required to produce the final document by end of May 2016,” he said.

Despite this, Mr Moroka promised that his team would deliver as expected, saying, “our promise is premised on the belief that we will have the support, encouragement and good will of our fellow citizens, especially you, members of the media. You will no doubt agree with me that your role in this process cannot be over emphasised, if the desired outcomes are to be achieved.”

The task team which was officially launched by president Khama on October 19, consists of 34 members chosen based on knowledge, experience, expertise and desire to contribute to the country’s development and Batswana in general. 

The team had been mandated to mobilise Batswana to define their own long term social, environmental and economic development aspirations and develop a long term vision document reflecting consensus that would have emerged from the consultations.

In carrying out its mandate, the team is also expected to review relevant background material on the subject, including the results of the on-going evaluation of Vision 2016, and the framework for development of Vision 2036 which has been facilitated by the National Strategy Office. 

The team, he said was also expected to consult the public through the press, meetings, seminars and invite submissions, either oral or written, by individuals or organisations as well as through any other appropriate platform.

Explaining the composition of the task team, Mr Moroka said of the 34 members, 15 represented different institutions including; Vision 2016 Council, Ntlo ya Dikgosi, youth, political parties, trade unions, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations, Botswana Council for People with Disability, Faith Based Organisations and the media. 

The remaining 19, he said were experts in four thematic areas which were social development, sustainable environment, economy and governance and security. 

In preparation for take-off, Mr Moroka said the team would hold a retreat this weekend to develop its roadmap. 

Additionally, he said the team will also take stock of progress in the success and challenges of Vision 2016 to inform itself, interrogate key issues emanating from Vision 2036 Framework Document, and learn from other international colleagues on the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals as well as the AU Agenda 2063.

Botswana Vision 2036, Mr Moroka said was part of the global village and therefore it was necessary that the country learn and aligned with both regional and global agenda. 

For that reason, he said continuous support and contribution of stakeholders in this national assignment was crucial.

“We must assert ourselves as competitors in the global economy. We shall therefore come back ready to engage earnestly with all stakeholders through different fora and medium of communication in order to execute our mandate,” he added.

For his part Vision 2036 PTT vice chairperson and also Vision 2016 chairperson, Mr Martin Makgatlhe said the review of the current national vision, Vision 2016, was ongoing and not yet complete. 

By May 2016, Mr Makgatlhe said their team  was expected to have concluded the draft vision document, which would be endorsed by the National Assembly during its July/August 2016 sitting and be launched on September 2016 when the current national vision comes to an end. Ends